site.btaProf. Hristo Pimpirev Unveils Photo Exhibition on History and Development of Bulgarian Polar Programme

The head of the Bulgarian Antarctic Institute, Prof. Hristo Pimpirev, unveiled a photo exhibition titled "From The Lame Dog to the research vessel Sv. Sv. Kiril i Metodii" at the central foyer of Sofia University St. Kliment Ohridski on Wednesday. 

The exhibition is related to the spring session meeting of the European Polar Board in Sofia, Pimpirev noted. He explained that the photos show the development of the Bulgarian polar programme - from the first two small houses - containers, which were placed in 1988 in Antarctica, to present day and the sailing of the Bulgarian naval research vessel Sv. Sv. Kiril i Metodii to Livingstone Island. 

"The "lame dog" is a container adapted to house two people. However, it is now a museum and is part of the cultural heritage of the whole continent. It is known internationally as 'The Lame Dog'," Prof. Pimpirev pointed out.

"The construction of a new laboratory started this year at the Bulgarian Antarctic base "St. Kliment Ohridski". It is expected to be "closed" by next year so it can withstand the winter storms and blizzards. If we leave the construction unfinished, the lab will be destroyed by Antarctica's harsh weather," he explained.

The head of the Bulgarian polar expeditions also spoke to BTA about the European Polar Board, which coordinates the activities of the European Union (EU) countries in the polar regions - in the Arctic and Antarctic:

"Bulgaria has been a permanent member of the European Polar Board for 20 years. The European Polar Board is an important structure, which is under the European Commission and coordinates the scientific polar programmes of the EU countries," Pimpirev said.

"This is the first year in which our research vessel Sv. Sv. Kiril i Metodii, which sailed to Antarctica and is now coming back," he added. "We are open to cooperation with nations that have great experience in the exploration of the oceans and especially the Southern Ocean where Antarctica is located. Not all the countries that are involved in polar exploration of Antarctica have ships. But most of them do. It is expected that the Bulgarian research vessel Sv. Sv. Kiril i Metodii will return to our country in early May," Prof. Pimpirev stated.

The Lame Dog Hut was erected in April 1988, and had been the main building of St. Kliment Ohridski base until 1998. It is presently the oldest preserved building on Livingston Island, used as radio shack and post office, and hosting a museum exhibition of associated artefacts from the early Bulgarian science and logistic operations in Antarctica.